The Advocacy and Advice Service is here to support you through a variety of situations! We are here to help you and are aware that other services might also help you in your situation. Here we have highlighted some services in Fife and Dundee that might help you. This information is not meant to deter you from using the Advocacy and Advice Service, but to ensure you are getting all the support you need.
If you have any recommendations regarding additional services that would be helpful for us to include, please send an email to [email protected]
Advocacy and Welfare Support
These can support you with disability, welfare, and benefits advice, complementing your academic/housing remit.
VoiceAbility ( https://www.voiceability.org/ ) helps support and advocate for people regarding decisions about their health, care, and wellbeing. They work with people of all ages, with many specific services for people with long-term conditions. They also can support you in accessing benefits from Social Security Scotland if you identify as disabled (International Students may not be able to access these benefits). They can help while you are in the hospital, with complaints about NHS care, or other situations.
Citizens Advice Scotland (https://www.cas.org.uk/) offers free, impartial and confidential advice for everyone. They are the leading advice charity in Scotland and can help with situations regarding justice, debt, energy, housing, and social security. They also help advise on benefits, tenancy rights, and employment law. They have centers in Glenrothes and Dundee (Wellgate Centre). They are also available over the phone.
Money Advice Scotland (https://www.moneyadvicescotland.org.uk/ ) focuses on helping people in debt and improving financial wellbeing. They have a variety of guides and resources regarding financial wellbeing and budgeting. They also offer debt advice sessions. Their website includes a map to identify free money advice agencies.
Fife Council Welfare Support Service (https://www.fife.gov.uk/kb/welfare,-benefits-and-money-advice) can link directly with students facing housing and cost-of-living crises. The council website provides a variety of information for many situations.
Dundee City Council Advice Service (https://www.dundeecity.gov.uk/service-area/corporate-services/digital-and-customer-services/council-advice-services) can provide advice and support with money, benefit, debt, energy advice, and more. They are available over the phone or in many locations around Dundee.
Legal and Rights-Based Partners
University of Strathclyde Law Clinic (https://www.lawclinic.org.uk/) is run by volunteer law students working under the supervision of qualified staff. They can help with employment law, housing issues, consumer issues, and the Scottish Social Services Council. They offer services to those who cannot obtain legal aid and cannot afford a solicitor.
Glasgow University Law Clinic (https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/law/gojustice/) offers a variety of resources, different clinics for specific situations, and lists of different services that may help.
Scottish Legal Aid Board (https://www.slab.org.uk/) maintains a directory of legal aid solicitors by topic and location. They also include information regarding typical legal aid fees, and information regarding applying for legal aid.
JustRight Scotland (https://www.justrightscotland.org.uk/) specializes in women’s rights, refugees and migrants, anti-trafficking and exploitation, disability, discrimination, and other discrimination or harassment. They have free factsheets and helplines for all of these topics.
Legal Services Agency (LSA) in Glasgow (https://lsa.org.uk/) is an independent law centre focusing on housing, mental health, employment, benefits, disability justice, and social welfare law. They are based in the Glasgow area and available over the phone.
Scottish Women’s Rights Centre (https://www.scottishwomensrightscentre.org.uk/) provides free legal advice, representation, and advocacy for women 16+ who have experienced gender-based violence. They have a variety of resources and a helpline. They also have services and resources for migrant women. They have a variety of organizations listed for different situations as well.
Disability, Neurodiversity, and Health Support Organisations
These groups can link directly with disability casework and non-academic advocacy.
The Well ( https://www.fifehealthandsocialcare.org/your-community/the-well/ ) is a free service in Fife that provides information and advice regarding your health and wellbeing. They can help you with your mental health and wellbeing, completing forms, joining groups, contacting services, and more. They are in St Andrews Community Hospital every Tuesday, 10am – noon and many other locations.
National Autistic Society Scotland (https://www.autism.org.uk/what-we-do/scotland) can support students with navigating accommodation and sensory access issues. They provide information regarding relevant laws and policies.
Migration, Refugee, and Asylum Seeker Support
Scottish Refugee Council (https://scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk/) has a Refugee Support Service for those in Scotland. They provide information, multilingual advice, and support. They have a free helpline offering information and advice specific to Scotland.
JustRight Scotland (Refugee & Migrant Centre) (https://www.justrightscotland.org.uk/what-we-do/migrant-refugee-rights/) focuses on children, women, family reunion, and destitution support. They have a variety of factsheets for these topics and more to explain your rights and what you can access.
Positive Action in Housing (https://www.paih.org/) focuses on supporting people from refugee and immigrant communities in rebuilding their lives. They can help with immigration, education, healthcare, housing, law, and employment. They have a variety of free and multilingual services.
Housing and Tenant Advocacy
Shelter Scotland (https://scotland.shelter.org.uk/) helps with all things housing. This includes those who are homeless or about to become homeless, housing problems, and can provide steps to help you solve your housing problems. They have a variety of resources for anything related to housing. They are accessible online but also have an appointment only centre in Dundee City Centre.
Living Rent (https://www.livingrent.org/) is a Union of tenants, carers, workers, and residents. They have a branch in Dundee.